SENATE 101:
SILVER LINING OF GOVERNANCE
Debbie Weatherly
4CS President
TITLE 5-SECTION 51023.5(A)
• The governing Board shall adopt policies and
procedures that provide district and college staff the
opportunity to participate effectively in district and
college governance.
EDUCATION CODE 70902(B) (7)
• The Board of Governors ensures staff, and students
the opportunity to express their opinions at the
campus level, to ensure that these opinions are given
every reasonable consideration, to ensure the right to
participate effectively in district and college
governance.
ASSEMBLY BILL 1725
• Assures the right of faculty, staff and student to
participate effectively in district and college
governance and the right of academic senate to
assume primary responsibility for making
recommendations in the areas of curriculum and
academic standards.
( 10+1)
SENATE DEFINED
• The very definition of a senate is a governing body ,
council , or assembly – this is why governance is our
main objective.
• We may enjoy events and social functions
(Networking). We do participate in fund raising and
community outreach with noble ambitions, but do not
be confused as to what our main goal and role is as a
Senate.
CLASSIFIED SENATES FUNCTION
• Be time efficient/follow your agenda
• Don’t allow guest to take over the meeting
• Roberts Rule of Order
• Delegate responsibility
• Communication tools
• Follow your own policies and procedures that should be in
place
• Have a summer planning day before sessions start in fall
COLLEGIALITY IS OUR GOAL
• Assuming you have a classified senate in place- how
do you get taken seriously as a senate?
• Understanding your Role
• Be a Presence (attendance at committee meetings)
• Develop relationships (monthly meetings with those
you need as allies)
• Be kind, and realize the learning curve ( no bull in
china shop)
GROW AS A LEADER
• A Good Leader will Share the Wealth of Knowledge
with Senators and Constituents.
• Be Willing to Ask the Obvious ( Why do we do it this
way)
• No, does not always mean no, (except in sexual
harassment) there may be creative ways to
accomplish what you need to do.
OTHER SUGGESTIONS
• Not all information is factual that you receive -sometimes
misinformation, educate yourself on the law, and the structure
of your specific district.
• Revisit Policies and procedures of your district.
• Do your homework, learn acronyms early on, along with the
process.
• Identify names of those in influential positions and introduce
yourself, be confident and proud of who you represent!
• Attend social functions, especially if you have been
specifically invited.
INCREASING SENATE INVOLVEMENT
• Be an example
• Take advantage of orientation
• Have fun, be the sunshine
• PDA presentations
• Utilize the speakers bureau from 4CS
PLANNING AHEAD
• Succession planning without preconceived ideas
• Leadership and mentoring
• Be an encourager…you can lead a horse to water….
• Recognize what specific issues are on your campus,
and address them honestly for example workload
issues….
SILVER LINING OF GOVERNANCE
• Your classified professionals will flourish and grow with
a strong classified senate
• You become the voice of classified and are heard by
other leadership
• Others will respect what you are doing
• You accomplish your goals for classified
• Personal growth